Day three of the 2014 NFL Draft saw the Pittsburgh Steelers add six more new faces to their organization. The team addressed several of their key positional needs – including wide receiver and cornerback – and added even more depth to a defensive front seven that had already been the benefactor of their first two picks.
4th Round (118nd Overall) WR Martavis Bryant, Clemson 6-foot, 4-inches 211 lbs.
Steelers fans have been clamoring for the team to draft a big-target wide receiver for years, and at 6-foot, 4-inches, Bryant fits that mold. He also adds a speed element, running a 4.42 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine. At Clemson, he played alongside NFL first-rounders WRs DeAndre Hopkins and Sammy Watkins. During his senior season, he tallied 42 catches for 828 yards and seven touchdowns. His main value is as a red-zone target, and his scouting report notes that he is effective at making back-shoulder catches. The Steelers expect Bryant to compete for a starting spot in 2014.
5th Round (157th Overall) CB Shaquille Richardson, Arizona 6-foot even 194lbs.
Cornerback was the other position that Steelers fans were expecting the team to address early in this draft. Pittsburgh waited until the fifth round to do so, and came away with CB Shaquille Richardson of Arizona. Richardson will hope to follow the path of CB Cortez Allen, who the Steelers chose in the fourth-round in 2011. He started all 13 games in 2013 and finished with three interceptions. His scouting report says that he is quick and agile, and aggressive jumping routes when he sees them. His last-minute interception of Oregon QB Marcus Mariota sealed a big upset over the Ducks. He impressed at his pro day, running a 4.43-second 40-yard dash.
5th Round (173rd Overall) OT Wesley Johnson, Vanderbilt 6-foot, 5-inches 297lbs.
The Steelers drafted OT Wesley Johnson with their fifth-round compensatory pick. Johnson is considered an excellent zone-blocker who should fit in well under the tutelage of new offensive line coach Mike Munchak. Other than the fact that he was a long-term starter for the Commodores and is considered an excellent athlete for his position, the most telling aspect of his game may be the fact that he did not draw his first holding penalty in college until midway through his senior season, a span of 44 games without a penalty.
6th Round (192nd Overall) OLB Jordan Zumwalt, UCLA 6-foot, 4-inches 235lbs.
Zumwalt was ranked as high as a third-round pick on many draft boards after a great showing at UCLA’s Pro Day. He is considered a fiery competitor who leads by example, and plays his best football on the big stages. He started games in all four of his seasons, including 2012 when he played both inside and outside linebacker. Tallied 93 tackles, 5 sacks, two interceptions, and three forced fumbles during his 2013 senior campaign. Zumwalt should easily help the Steelers on special teams as a rookie.
6th Round (215th Overall) DT Daniel McCullers, Tennessee 6-foot, 7-inches 352lbs.
The word to describe McCullers is BIG. The huge 352-pounder started his college career as a JUCO and transferred to Tennessee in 2012, where he won the starting nose tackle position. Hopefully, he will learn how to play the 3-4 nose tackle slot in the Pittsburgh defense, but for the time being he will be a project that needs to adjust to the pro game and learn the nuances of the NFL. Expect him to end up on the practice squad in 2014 unless he shines brightly during training camp.
7th Round (230th Overall) TE Rob Blanchflower, UMass 6-foot, 4-inches 256lbs.
The Steelers round out their 2014 Draft with a Tight End prospect who seems to fit into the David Johnson mold as a run-blocking specialist. Blanchflower missed seven games during his senior season due to a sports hernia, but he still managed to post 27 catches for 313 yards and three touchdowns. The career receiving leader for tight ends at U-Mass.
The Pittsburgh Steelers finished off their 2014 NFL Draft weekend with the signing of 10 undrafted free agents on Saturday night.
QB Brandon Kay, Cincinnati 6-foot, 4-inches 228lbs.
Kay spent most of 2013 as the Bearcats starting quarterback after taking over for the injured Munchie Lequax in Week 2. Kay threw for 3,121 yards and 22 touchdowns in 12 games for Cincinnati. He is fairly mobile for his size, rushing for 152 yards and six touchdowns.
DB/S Devon Carrington, Stanford 6-foot, 1-inch 204lbs.
Carrington played in 14 games at cornerback for the Cardinal in 2013 after starting his college career as a safety. He totaled 33 tackles (20 solo) last season. Carrington played well in games vs. Army, Washington State, and in the PAC-12 Championship Game vs. Arizona State.
OL Chris Elkins, Youngstown State 6-foot, 4-inches 300lbs.
Elkins started 38 of his 40 games for the Penguins at both guard positions and as a center in 2013. He is a zone-blocking lineman who impressed in his pro day with a 4.98-second 40-yard dash and 7.33-second three-cone drill. He did not allow a sack as a senior.
DL Ethan Hemer, Wisconsin 6-foot, 6-inches 285lbs.
2013 3rd-team All-Big Ten selection who started eight games for the Badgers as a senior. A former walk-on who played in every game after redshirting as a freshman in 2009. Totaled 92 tackles, two sacks, and 24 tackles for loss in his career. Projects as a rotational defensive end in the Steelers 3-4 defense.
OT Kaycee Ike, Alabama- Birmingham 6-foot, 5-inches 293lbs.
Highly recruited offensive lineman who started every game at tackle the past two seasons for the Blazers. Was one of the main cogs in UAB’s vaunted rushing game. A very athletic lineman who should compete for a practice squad spot in 2014.
LB Howard Jones, Shepard University 6-foot, 4-inches 238lbs.
A sixth-year senior who missed all of 2009 with injuries. Played in 47 games and totaled 35.0 sacks, 139 tackles, and 69.5 tackles for loss in his career. Ran an impressive 4.60-second 40-yard dash at his pro day and was one several teams’ radar as a late-round pick. Could end up as a surprise pick-up for the Steelers, and reminds scouts of a young James Harrison.
DE Josh Mauro, Stanford 6-foot, 6-inches 282lbs.
Highly-productive rotational defensive lineman who played in a pro-style 3-4 defense at Stanford. Has been compared to Brett Keisel. Tallied 51 tackles, four sacks, one force fumble, and one interception as a senior. A native of St. Albans, England.
DT Ray Philon, Louisville 6-foot, 3-inches 291lbs.
Four-year contributor for Louisville, playing both defensive tackle and defensive end. Totaled 116 tackles, 22.5 tackles for loss, eight sacks, and one forced fumble in his career. Could end up as a Steve McClendon-like defensive lineman if he can improve his conditioning.
OG Will Simmons, East Carolina 6-foot, 5-inches 342lbs.
Massive offensive lineman who was a three-year starter at right guard for the Pirates. Was named to the 2013 Outland Trophy watch list as a senior. Two-time All-Conference USA selection, and considered a premium pass blocker.
TE Eric Waters, Missouri 6-foot, 5-inches 245lbs
Played in 39 games for the Tigers over the past three seasons, tallying 14 receptions for 145 yards and two touchdowns. Mostly noted a blocking tight end who helped Missouri rush for over 3,000 yards collectively in 2013. Coming off a minor ankle injury that restricted him to regional combines prior to the draft.
